Abstract: A document scanning device includes first and second image sensors spaced along a document path and positioned to scan first and second sides of an input document. A first driven belt is configured to receive the input document directly onto a first surface of the first driven belt and transports the document past the first image sensor, where a first side of the document is scanned. A second driven belt, horizontally spaced from the first driven belt, receives the document after it has been scanned by the second image sensor and transports the document to an output. The device is suited to scanning of a variety of substrates and document sizes, such as normal, small, rigid, or delicate documents as the document path can be substantially straight and provide support for the document during scanning allowing delicate, small or rigid documents to be scanned.

Abstract: A feeding system in a printing apparatus is disclosed. For example, the feeding system includes a feed roll, a retard roll, a movable arm, a spring and a temperature dependent flexible material. The movable arm is coupled to the retard roll. The spring is coupled to the movable arm. The temperature dependent flexible material is located below the spring to move the retard roll towards the feed roll via the spring coupled to the end of the arm to maintain a nip force applied by the retard roll against the feed roll as a temperature in a location of the printing apparatus changes.

Abstract: A feeding system in a printing apparatus is disclosed. For example, the feeding system includes a feed roll, a retard roll, a movable arm, a spring and a temperature dependent flexible material. The movable arm is coupled to the retard roll. The spring is coupled to the movable arm. The temperature dependent flexible material is located below the spring to move the retard roll towards the feed roll via the spring coupled to the end of the arm to maintain a nip force applied by the retard roll against the feed roll as a temperature in a location of the printing apparatus changes.

Abstract: A document scanning device includes first and second image sensors spaced along a document path and positioned to scan first and second sides of an input document. A first driven belt is configured to receive the input document directly onto a first surface of the first driven belt and transports the document past the first image sensor, where a first side of the document is scanned. A second driven belt, horizontally spaced from the first driven belt, receives the document after it has been scanned by the second image sensor and transports the document to an output. The device is suited to scanning of a variety of substrates and document sizes, such as normal, small, rigid, or delicate documents as the document path can be substantially straight and provide support for the document during scanning allowing delicate, small or rigid documents to be scanned.

Abstract: An image rendering apparatus and method of operating a center tray of an image rendering apparatus. The image rendering apparatus includes a cavity, and a center tray having a home position located within the cavity and a retrieval position located outside the cavity. The image rendering apparatus further includes a retraction mechanism that is attached to the center tray and an interior wall of the cavity. The retraction mechanism is configured to allow for the extension of the center tray from the home position to the retrieval position, and from the retrieval position to the home position.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a transparent platen which receives a sheet to be scanned. A backing assembly is spaced from the platen by the sheet during scanning. The backing assembly includes a backing plate of a fixed color and an electrochromic layer intermediate the backing plate and the platen. The electrochromic layer has a first state in which the electrochromic layer is opaque and has a different color from the fixed color, and a second state, in which the electrochromic layer is transparent to expose the backing plate through it. A sensor is positioned to acquire an image of the sheet based on light passing through the platen. A controller selectively applies a voltage across the electrochromic layer to change the electrochromic layer between the first and second states.

Abstract: In order to mitigate image defects caused by unwanted disturbances as a carriage module travels from a continuous velocity transport module across a CVT ramp to a platen module, a bottom surface of the CVT ramp is recessed relative to bottom surfaces of the CVT glass and platen glass to facilitate a smooth transition as the CIS carriage passes the CVT ramp during scanning. An additional carriage button is also provided on the carriage surface to ensure that at least two carriage buttons are biased against the CVT-platen assembly at all times, thereby mitigating vibrational disturbance in the system during scanning motion. The carriage module may be a contact image sensor (CIS) carriage module, a Full Width Array (FWA) carriage module, or a folded Charged Coupled Device (CCD) carriage module.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a transparent platen which receives a sheet to be scanned. A backing assembly is spaced from the platen by the sheet during scanning. The backing assembly includes a backing plate of a fixed color and an electrochromic layer intermediate the backing plate and the platen. The electrochromic layer has a first state in which the electrochromic layer is opaque and has a different color from the fixed color, and a second state, in which the electrochromic layer is transparent to expose the backing plate through it. A sensor is positioned to acquire an image of the sheet based on light passing through the platen. A controller selectively applies a voltage across the electrochromic layer to change the electrochromic layer between the first and second states.

Abstract: A platen cushion apparatus includes a platen cushion configured to conform to both a document and a platen of a scanner so as to maintain the document against the platen independent of a scanner to document handler alignment, while also maximizing contact with the document and spread an even down-force across an entire surface of the document and improve the contact of the document against the platen.

Abstract: According to exemplary scanning devices herein, a platen has a sheet side and a scanner side, opposite the sheet side. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the transparent platen. The platen has a constant velocity transport (CVT) scanning position at an end of the platen. A portion of the platen, located at the CVT scanning position of the platen has integral transparent electrodes and incorporates a polymer/liquid crystal filler material that is white in a first state and transparent in a second state. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the platen. A controller is electrically connected to the electrodes. The controller controls the state of the polymer/liquid crystal filler material during scanning of a document and during white calibration of the scanner.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus and method for calibrating an optical module of a document scanning device. In one embodiment, imaging sensors of an optical module of the scanning device are used to obtain an image scan of a calibration strip mounted on a surface of a platen on which a sheet to be scanned has been manually placed. The calibration strip has a first vertical line at a first distance from a right edge of the strip, a second vertical line at a second distance from a left edge of the strip, and a sloping horizontal line positioned between the first and second vertical lines. A slope of the horizontal line is non-zero. In a manner more fully disclosed herein, the image scan of the calibration strip is to obtain calibration measurements. The calibration measurements are, in turn, used to calibrate the scan head of the optical module.

Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus and method for calibrating an optical module of a document scanning device. In one embodiment, imaging sensors of an optical module of the scanning device are used to obtain an image scan of a calibration strip mounted on a surface of a platen on which a sheet to be scanned has been manually placed. The calibration strip has a first vertical line at a first distance from a right edge of the strip, a second vertical line at a second distance from a left edge of the strip, and a sloping horizontal line positioned between the first and second vertical lines. A slope of the horizontal line is non-zero. In a manner more fully disclosed herein, the image scan of the calibration strip is to obtain calibration measurements. The calibration measurements are, in turn, used to calibrate the scan head of the optical module.

Abstract: An input imaging system and method for adjusting LED light uniformity in an LED array are disclosed. For example, the input imaging system includes an LED array, wherein the LED array is divided into a plurality of different banks of LEDs, wherein a light output of each one of the plurality of different banks of LEDs is independently adjustable, an electrical device for adjusting the light output of the each one of the banks of LEDs coupled to each one of the plurality of different banks of LEDs to achieve the uniform LED light illumination profile, a diffuser coupled to the LED array to scatter the light output towards a document, a lens for collecting the light output that is reflected off of the document and a sensor coupled to the lens to receive the light output that is collected by the lens.

Abstract: Laser image projection system applicable to the marking of objects and method for generating holograms may include a reflection spatial light modulator, laser beam irradiating means for irradiating laser light onto the reflection spatial light modulator at a certain incidence angle, controlling means connected to the reflection spatial light modulator, the controlling means controlling said reflection spatial light modulator to define a holographic diffraction pattern corresponding to the desired optical image intended to be irradiated onto the object, and focusing means for performing a Fourier transform of the phase-modulated laser light to transform it into the optical image and irradiate it focused onto said object, wherein said focusing means includes a Fresnel lens holographically defined onto the reflection spatial light modulator to thereby improve an efficiency in the use of the light energy irradiated by said irradiating means.